# Sign Regulations in Pleasant Ridge, Michigan

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Pleasant Ridge, Michigan, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Pleasant Ridge, Michigan (MI)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/michigan/pleasant-ridge
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MI/Pleasant_Ridge/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICICO_CH54SI)

## At a glance

Pleasant Ridge, Michigan regulates 13 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the District M zoning district are capped at 25 feet at minimum setback line, may increase 1 foot for every 1 foot of additional setback up to 35 feet max. Never taller than 2 feet above roof line. tall and 50 square feet, with a Conforms to building setback requirements in the district setback (Sec. Sec. 82-196(j)(2)).

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| District M | 5 | 25 feet (unless additional setback, then up to 35 feet max, but not taller than 2 feet above roof line) | 300 square feet, or 25% of roof area (whichever is less) | — |
| District RO, District C | 3 | 25 feet at minimum setback line, may increase 1 foot for every 1 foot of additional setback up to 35 feet max. Never taller than 2 feet above roof line. | 50 square feet | — |
| All districts | 7 | Individual characters do not exceed 18 inches in height | 40 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | 2 square feet (at ingress/egress); up to 4 square feet (internal regulatory signs) | — |

_1 additional zoning district is covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### District M

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Billboard | 25 feet (unless additional setback, then up to 35 feet max, but not taller than 2 feet above roof line) | — | — | Minimum 100 ft from sidewalk/public highway, 150 ft from residential or business building, minimum distance from adjoining property not less than twice height of billboard | — | Minimum setback of 100 feet from any sidewalk or public highway, 150 feet from any residential or business building, and minimum distance from adjoining property of at least twice the height of the billboard. | — | Sec. 82-196(j)(1) |
| Roof Sign | — | 300 square feet, or 25% of roof area (whichever is less) | — | Not closer to any edge of roof than the vertical distance from top of sign to roof | — | On roof of building, secured as specified to building structure. | — | Sec. 82-196(j)(4) |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 feet at minimum setback line, may increase 1 foot for every 1 foot of additional setback up to 35 feet max. Never taller than 2 feet above roof line. | 50 square feet | — | Conforms to building setback requirements in the district | 1 per business frontage up to 300 ft, 2 for 300-600 ft, 3 for over 700 ft (not if projecting/roof sign exists on same frontage) | Not to extend over public right-of-way; conforms to setback requirements for structures in district. | — | Sec. 82-196(j)(2) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 40 sq ft per side | — | — | Max 1 per eligible advertiser (not for upper-level businesses or where a Freestanding/Roof sign exists) | Not to extend over public right-of-way. | — | Sec. 82-196(j)(3) |
| Wall Sign | — | 15% of building facade area (max 200 sq ft total per frontage) | — | — | No maximum number | On wall surface of building. | — | Sec. 82-196(j)(5) |

### District RO, District C

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 feet at minimum setback line, may increase 1 foot for every 1 foot of additional setback up to 35 feet max. Never taller than 2 feet above roof line. | 50 square feet | — | Conforms to building setback requirements in the district | 1 per business frontage up to 300 ft, 2 for 300-600 ft, 3 for over 700 ft (not if projecting/roof sign exists on same frontage) | Not to extend over public right-of-way; conforms to setback requirements for structures in district. | — | Sec. 82-196(j)(2) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 40 sq ft per side | — | — | Max 1 per eligible advertiser (not for upper-level businesses or where a Freestanding/Roof sign exists) | Not to extend over public right-of-way. | — | Sec. 82-196(j)(3) |
| Wall Sign | — | 15% of building facade area (max 200 sq ft total per frontage) | — | — | No maximum number | On wall surface of building. | — | Sec. 82-196(j)(5) |

### All districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| House or Building Address Sign | Individual characters do not exceed 18 inches in height | — | — | — | — | On building/house | — | Sec. 82-196(k)(1) |
| Integral Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Integral to building/structure | — | Sec. 82-196(k)(2) |
| Public Sign | — | — | — | — | — | As ordered/required by public officers for public purposes | — | Sec. 82-196(k)(3) |
| Institutional Bulletin Board | 6 feet | 24 square feet | — | — | 1 per eligible advertiser | — | — | Sec. 82-196(k)(4) |
| Private Traffic Direction Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On premises (e.g., parking, exit/entrance, etc.) | — | Sec. 82-196(k)(5) |
| Time and Temperature Sign | Not to exceed height of building | 40 square feet | — | — | — | Accessory to building | — | Sec. 82-196(k)(6) |
| Underground Public Utility Warning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Marking routes of underground public utility pipes, conduits, cables | — | Sec. 82-196(k)(7) |

## Prohibited signs in Pleasant Ridge

- Any sign not expressly permitted herein is prohibited.
- It is unlawful for any sign in any district to be attached to a door, window casing, or tree.
- Signs may not obstruct any fire escape, building entrance, passageway, or window.
- No sign may be located less than ten feet (horizontal projection) from any fire hydrant, traffic light, or on any pole or column on public property.
- Signs shall not be attached to any utility pole or be located within any public right-of-way.
- Single strand wires, wood plugs, or other structurally unsafe materials are prohibited in the erection or maintenance of any sign.
- It is unlawful to own, possess, or construct an accessory sign unless it is designed and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than 40 pounds per square foot of area.
- Signs that incorporate any flashing or moving lights are prohibited.
- Banners, pennants, spinners, and streamers are prohibited except as specifically permitted.
- String lights used in connection with commercial premises for commercial purposes are prohibited, except for holiday decorations.
- Any sign which has visible moving parts or apparent visible movement achieved electrically, electronically, mechanically, or by the wind is prohibited (except for automatic time and temperature signs with cycles of at least five seconds).
- Any sign or sign structure that is structurally unsafe or constitutes a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, or abandonment is prohibited.
- Any sign which by reason of size, location, content, coloring, or manner of illumination constitutes a traffic hazard or detriment to traffic safety, by obstructing vision or detracting from the visibility of any traffic sign or control device on public streets and roads, is prohibited.
- Any sign that obstructs free ingress or egress from a required door, window, fire escape, or other required exit way is prohibited.
- Signs which make use of words such as 'stop,' 'look,' 'danger,' or any characters or shapes generally used as public safety symbols, or any such elements that could interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic, are prohibited.
- Any sign unlawfully installed, erected, or maintained is prohibited.
- Any sign that no longer advertises a bona fide business or product on the premises is prohibited (unless such sign is in District M).
- Any sign painted upon the wall of a building is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Pleasant Ridge

- This section does not apply to any temporary sign, which are regulated by chapter 54.
- Permanent signs permitted in all districts without a permit (unless required): a) House or building address signs, provided individual characters do not exceed 18 inches in height; b) Integral signs such as names of buildings, dates of construction, commemorative tablets, etc., when carved into appropriate durable materials or made of bronze, aluminum, or other permanent construction as part of the building; c) Public signs of a noncommercial nature, including safety signs, danger signs, trespassing signs, traffic signs, signs indicating scenic or historical points of interest, memorial plaques, and all signs erected by or on order of a public officer in the performance of public duty; d) Private traffic direction signs and related signs when located on the premises and conforming in size and location to the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices; e) Underground public utility warning signs marking the routes of underground utility pipes, conduits, and cables.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Each permit application requires submittal of a drawing or sketch of the proposed sign indicating specific dimensions, plans, materials, construction methods, and attachment, to be approved by the zoning inspector.
- A permit from the city is required for erection, alteration, relocation, reassembly, or posting of any sign, except where exempted.
- Site plans for the layout of off-street parking facilities must show the location, size, and specifications of all signs and advertising features as part of the application process.
- Any sign which has its use changed requires a new application and new permit.
- An application for site plan review (for all site development in certain districts or situations) requires the site plan to depict the location, size, and specifications of all signs and advertising features.
- During site plan review for certain developments (RM, RO, C, M, and P zoning, and in special land uses), proposed signage must be shown as part of the review.
- No signs shall be erected on paved parking areas except for one directional sign at each point of ingress and egress and certain regulatory signs, which must conform to state standards.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 5 zoning districts in Pleasant Ridge — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Pleasant+Ridge+MI&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-pleasant-ridge

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